If The NFL Playoffs Started Today

November 18, 2013 If The Playoffs Started Today! It’s that time of the NFL season where the pretenders are separated from the contenders. By now fans know what their team is and if you don’t, well don’t feel bad it’s the roller coaster ride known as the NFL season. The leaves have started to turn, in some places snow has already been reported, those chilly nights have resurfaced, oh and Thanksgiving is almost here which means the playoff chase is full of life. Some teams control their own destiny while others are trying to get out of an early bind. Others are on the bubble which sits on the outside and leave the eyes looking in, and then you have those teams trying to scratch and claw just to hold on through the brutal dog days of the season. Here is a taste of what we as fans would be getting if the NFL Playoffs started today. Yes, yes I know I’m jumping the gun but who doesn’t. 1: Broncos. With the win last night over Kansas City the Broncos have made their way back to the top of the AFC. The next couple of weeks will show rather or not they can hold that seed with a Manning vs. Brady showdown on the horizon this Sunday night and a rematch against Kansas City looming. The main question on Broncos fans minds is wills their QB remain healthy? If that offensive line gives him the protection they did last night he stands a great chance. 2: Patriots. Say what you want but Brady and company aren’t doing it like you’re use to. So what it doesn’t make it any less appealing to a diehard football fan. After all the early struggles the Pats are sitting pretty in the number 2 spot in the AFC playoff picture. They play Carolina tonight and have a showdown looming on Sunday night with the Broncos. Deep down inside you know the Patriots want that number 1 seed. Will they get it? By next Sunday night roughly around 11:30 pm we shall know. 3: Colts. You beat 3 elite teams and you think that would be enough to proclaim you as a Super Bowl contender. Not so fast ladies and gentlemen. The Colts have gotten off to slow starts against the Texans, Rams, and Titans the last 3 weeks. By this time of the year if you’re doing something like having continuously slow starts it’s a habit. Yet somehow the Colts remain at number 3 and still have a chance to move up to the number 2 spot if the Pats take a step back. 4: Bengals. Is it their time? Are they finally here? These are the questions that many have been asking this season when it comes to these Bengals. One week they look sexy and the next week you’re thinking there is no way that team can do anything in the thick of the playoffs with the inconsistency on offense. Lucky for the Bengals it’s still the middle of November. Will that offense continue to struggle and rely on the defense? The following weeks shall reveal that to us. 5: Chiefs. With the loss last night it looks like the Chiefs have found their way in a Wild Card road game against the Bengals. Now many may hate slow, grind it out defensive games but if you’re a fan of the “old school” you’ll cherish this matchup. Nothing is set in stone yet so let’s cross our fingers. 6: Jets. If I would’ve told you that Rex Ryan would have a top 5 defense and rushing attack you would say that sounds like Rex especially since he has a rookie QB, but would you believe me if I told you maybe just maybe Rex has avoided the hot seat. I know its funny how things play out. With the Colts slow starts it wouldn’t shock me if the Jets were to upset them in a Wild Card Rd match up in Indy, a good defense to get after Luck and a rushing attack to keep him off the field. Colts fans have seen that story before. NFC 1: Seahawks. The great North West never gets any attention. So is the story with their football team. The Seahawks are 10-1 but no one wants to pay it any attention. It looks like they may very well get home field advantage and I’m here to tell you if that happens they may get to the Super Bowl. Home field has never meant so much when you talk about the Seahawks and Saints. 2: Saints. No one wants to see the Saints in January in that dome. The 12th man made itself felt last night during that game. Without a shadow of a doubt the Saints are a totally different team when they’re in that dome. The only question that remains to be seen is can they beat the Seahawks and hope they lose a couple and fend off the rising Panthers? 3: Lions. Some would say the Lions have struck gold. Rodgers is out and Cutler is down. The question is can they stop beating themselves and put it all together? If the playoffs started today they would play the 49ers. What handshake do you speak of? They still have Stafford and Johnson not to mention Bush so they still catch the eye because wherever they are you can bet a shootout maybe looming. 4: Eagles. With everything that was meant to be and isn’t the Eagles find themselves at the top of the NFC East. I picked them to win it in the beginning so it’s possible in an up and down division. Many may not be in on Foles because he isn’t flashy like Vick but he gets the job done. Plus he doesn’t turn the ball over. Only time will tell if they can hold on and give those loyal fans something to cheer about. Imagine if the playoffs started today. Panthers vs Eagles. This is intriguing to say the least. 5: Panthers. After a couple of seasons Rivera is finally putting his blueprint on this team. The defense has his attitude with the tenacity and ferociousness they exhibit on the field. Last week was a statement game and they answered the calling. Tonight is another one. Will they answer this calling vs. the Pats? Tonight will tell. As long as Newton stays within himself they’ll always have a chance with that defense and rushing attack. 6: 49ers. I picked this team to go back to the Super bowl and I’m sticking to it. Sure they’ve hit a couple of bumps in the road and Kaepernick has struggled. With all that being said they were right there with the Saints pending a judgment call on Brees. Yes I know I know there are no moral victories in sports. With that being said December will show this team’s true colors. They’ll be healthy and if they are anything like their coach you’ll see them fight tooth and nail to hold on to that 6th seed.

WHAT TO MAKE OF WEEK 3 IN THE NFL

Was it a week of NFL action or what? Sure many fans are wondering what does this mean. For some teams it was just a bad day at the office. For other teams it showed that there are serious issues that need to be addressed. To start things off no one wants to see this 0-3!!!!! Yea that’s right 0-3. If someone would’ve told me the Pittsburgh, Steelers New York, Giants and Tampa Bay, Bucs would be winless after 3 weeks I would tell you that’s funny. The sad thing about it is it’s not. The Steelers just look lost at times. For starters Big Ben doesn’t have the time he needs to get the ball off or the freedom to be Big Ben. The defense is lacking a pass rush and that hurts that secondary. Head over to the NFC and the Giants leave us all wondering what is going on? History is the only reason I’m not ready to write them off. In order to turn things around they need to establish the run and that defensive front must cause havoc. They don’t have the talent they use to but they have enough to get the job done. Now one of the teams that spent this offseason is one of the teams that would have a fan saying “They have all the pieces to contend”. Every piece except a QB seeing as Freeman has lost his job. Hopefully the rookie won’t try and do too much this Sunday but we shall see. SURPRISES FROM WEEK 3: The Indianapolis, Colts shocked the world on Sunday. Sure the 49ers were a few men down but still, you play to win the game, the Colts out physical the 49ers by giving them a heavy dose of the running game. The defense also stepped up big time, holding the 49ers to just 7 points. When you think of nasty you think of the Cincinnati, Bengals defensive line. They brought their team back from trailing in the 4th against the Packers. I still have my questions about Dalton but a win is a win. With everything that took place this week the Browns could have tucked it in and gave up on Sunday but they didn’t. The Browns fought and they pulled it out. Now we have the 3-0 teams. Who would’ve thought the Chiefs would’ve been in this category. If they can play a low tempo grind it out game I like them against anyone and for that fact I’m buying them. Another team that I’m big on is the Dolphins. Tannehill is progressing well in his second season. The defense is stout. Don’t take these guys lightly. They came back on what many expected to be a Super bowl contender Falcons team. I love what I’m seeing from the Bears. Cutler looks comfortable in the pocket thanks to that offensive line; the defense is as opportunistic as ever. The Saints and Patriots have impressed me again this week. Not because of their offenses but because of their defenses. Right now the Seahawks and Broncos are just on another level. As a fan they are exciting to watch. WHERE ARE YOU???????? FALCONS WHERE ARE YOU REDSKINS WHERE ARE YOU GIANTS WHERE ARE YOU STEELERS WHERE ARE YOU EAGLES WHERE ARE YOU UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THESE TEAMS ARE M.I.A. TOP 10 POWER RANKING 1: Seahawks 2: Broncos 3: 49ers 4: Bears 5: Saints 6: Patriots 7: Chiefs 8: Colts 9: Dolphins 10: Bengals

The Cooler: TWO WEEKS IN THE 2013 NFL SEASON

The Cooler: TWO WEEKS IN THE 2013 NFL SEASON: September 18, 2013 WEEK 2 IN THE NFL: IS IT TIME TO PANIC YET? So we are two weeks into the NFL season and I’m sure some diehard fanatics ...

TWO WEEKS IN THE 2013 NFL SEASON

September 18, 2013 WEEK 2 IN THE NFL: IS IT TIME TO PANIC YET? So we are two weeks into the NFL season and I’m sure some diehard fanatics are ready for this season to be done already. I can’t say that I would disagree with you. Now before you do overreact ask yourself one question. How good is my team to begin with? These past few weeks really haven’t shown me anything that I didn’t know. The Jaguars are bad and the Broncos are good. Anyone can say that, but let’s look deeper into these past two weeks. To start off with the champs are not looking like the champs. With that being said in no way, shape, or form am I talking about the defense. Manning does what Manning does, and for that reason I’m throwing that 49 point beat down out the window. It’s the offense I’m worried about. Yes the Browns are no pushover on defense but come on. That Ravens offense has to have a number 1 receiver. It will remain to be the elephant in the room until it gets taken care of. To make matters worse Rice went down. With the lack of offensive threats you need Rice, especially when those cold harsh days of late November and December hit. Again its only week 2 but if you’re the champs you want to have the look of a champion. Now it’s been brought to my attention that the Patriots have fallen off, I’m not ready to share those sentiments just yet people. Brady was throwing to rookies out there. What’s being overlooked is the production of the defense. Has Bill finally figured it out? The weeks to come will answer that question, either way if I’m a fan I’m not worried or ready to jump the gun just yet. Brady and company will come through with another 11 to 12 win season. Now on to the team they took out last season in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. The Texans have somehow made it through 2 weeks perfect at 2-0. Again its only 2 weeks but if I’m a fan of the Texans I’m wondering when is that convincing win coming. I usually don’t do this but I’m putting the whole NFC East in this segment. The division known for being a soap opera loaded with ratings has managed to do it again. Right now there is no clear cut favorite in this division because each team has issues they’re dealing with. Headed down south the Falcons should be worried. The injuries continue to pile up and this year unlike last the Saints are back. “Have you heard they now have a defense”? I’m very impressed with the Saints over this two week span and believe it or not it has nothing to do with Brees and that offense. Now two teams that I want to see do something this year are the Bengals and the Colts. For the Bengals the question is can Dalton and company take that next step and finally get out of the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. For those cardiac boys aka the Colts the question was last year a fluke remains to be unanswered. I’m not impressed with what I have seen these past two weeks. They will be tested against an angry 49ers team that just got dominated this past Sunday night. Now through 2 weeks I must say the Chiefs and Dolphins have impressed me, again its only week 2 so I need to see more of the Chiefs to see if they are the real deal. The pieces are there. When you look at the Dolphins the question that comes to mind is Tannehill second year of production and how will that offense hang with that ferocious defense on the other side? Top 10 Power Rankings 1: Seahawks 2: 49ers 3: Broncos 4: Packers 5: Bears 6: Saints 7: Patriots 8: Bengals 9: Falcons 10: Texans